Chicago police officer accused of shoplifting

May 21, 2008 2:10:46 PM PDT

CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. --

A Chicago police officer is charged with shoplifting $100 worth of merchandise from a southwest suburban department store.Eleven-year police veteran Carie Hooker was stopped late Monday as she tried to leave a Kohl's store in Chicago Ridge. She is charged with misdemeanor retail theft.

Hooker was assigned to the Chicago Alternative Police Strategies Office. A police spokesperson says the officer has been stripped of her badge and gun pending the outcome of the case.